Concealed - A Hiding From Love Novel #2 (34 page)
When her body relaxes, I reposition her on the bed and hover over her. I look at her satiny skin, her dark eyes and sultry lips. She runs her hand down the front of me and smooths her fingers over my dick, making it jerk as I gasp, my entire body so sensitized that the smallest touch sends shockwaves through me.
With my last conscious thought, I manage to choke out, “Pill?”
“Of course,” she answers. I plunge into her sweet warmth, pumping and pumping until she squeezes around me so tightly that I cry out and pour my body into hers like my she’s poured her soul into mine. Alexis. Forever.
Alexis
El mayor de ellos es el amore
The greatest of these is love.
T
HE
heat in Texas in July is hellish, and in Austin bugs that just won’t die accompany it. Luckily, Gabe says it’s not as hot in Hawaii, but he can’t promise about the bugs.
“Alexis!” he yells from the parking lot where he’s waiting by a taxi.
“Okay, I’m coming!” I holler back as I grab a cookie and my purse and struggle to lock the door to the apartment.
I run down the stairs and hop in the back of the cab. “You’re kidding me,” he says, rolling his eyes. “You’ve made us late to our flight because you needed to get a cookie?”
I lean over and kiss him on the lips. “You know what happens when my blood sugar drops.”
He laughs and puts his arm around me as we ride to the airport.
Our flight is uneventful, and I sleep much of the way. As we taxi down the runway, I feel the butterflies start up in my gut. “What if they don’t like me?” I ask.
“Babe, quit worrying. They’ll love you. Just like I do,” he tells me for the five hundredth time. But even though I met his mom a few weeks ago when we went to California, this feels more like I’m meeting Gabe’s family. I know Nick and Lyndsey mean the world to him, and I can’t imagine how awful it would be if they disliked me.
We slowly make our way off the plane, shuffling along in the throng. Gabe has my bag on one shoulder and his on the other. I’m carrying the garment bag with his tux and my dress over my arm.
When we finally exit the breezeway, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my body of the smell of jet fuel and recirculated air. Suddenly, I hear a voice shout, “Dude!” and Gabe whoops before dropping our bags and hopping over a rope barrier into the seating area of the gate.
People around us stop and watch as a tall, built guy with dark hair and bright blue eyes runs forward and grabs Gabe. The two of them hug, beating each other on the back the whole time until they pull apart and start doing stupid guy stuff like shoulder jabbing each other and putting each other in headlocks. They remind me of my brothers, so I walk up and smack them both on the backs of their heads.
“You two are in public,” I scold. “You’re scaring the little kids.”
Gabe laughs and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Nick, this is Alexis. Babe, the infamous Nicholas Carlisle.”
I smile and put my hand out, but Nick grabs me in a giant bear hug as he whispers in my ear, “Thank you for taking care of him.”
He pulls back and gives me a brilliant smile, and I can’t help but smile back before I tell Gabe. “Hon, you left the bags unattended over there.”
“Oh, shit!” he cries as he steps back over the rope to grab them.
Right as Gabe comes back with the bags, a gorgeous beachy blonde walks up. She’s got dreadlocks and braids all mixed together with little beads woven into the whole thing. She’s tan and is wearing a sky blue linen sundress with a pair of silver sandals. Nick’s whole face lights up when he sees her.
“You caught up.” He smiles at her. She rolls her eyes then leans in and hugs Gabe.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t think he could have waited another day for you. He was seriously up half the night watching the surf report, and then he practically jogged through the entire airport.”
“Well, he always was a little clingy,” Gabe smirks. Nick raises an eyebrow and purses his lips. “Just like a little girl.” That’s when Nick shoves him and grabs one of our bags from his hand.
The guys start to walk ahead of us, and Lyndsey introduces herself. “They’ve lost their manners for a bit. I’m Lyndsey, and you’re obviously Alexis.”
I shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Well, it’s more than nice to meet you. When he left last year, I was afraid he was heading into real heartbreak. I’m so glad it worked out for you two.”
“Me too,” I agree. “Me too.”
Nick and Lyndsey’s wedding is spectacularly beautiful. They hold it at sunset on the beach behind the restaurant Lyndsey manages, and then everyone walks over to the restaurant, where there’s dancing, and dinner and a selection of beers that makes my boyfriend very happy.
Gabe and I are sitting outside on the deck, watching a bunch of kids play around on the dance floor inside when Nick comes over and sits with us.
“How’s it feel to be married, man?” Gabe asks as he tips his beer bottle in Nick’s direction.
“So far? It’s pretty damn good. But ask me in a few hours and it’ll be even better.” He winks at me.
“TMI, dude,” Gabe says.
“So how long have you two been living together?” Nick asks me.
“For a few weeks now. We were already in the same complex, so it wasn’t a big job to move his stuff into my place.”
“And you’re still in school?”
“Yeah, I’ve got one more year.”
“Then what?” He slugs Gabe, who’s pouring salt out onto the tablecloth to entertain himself.
“Well,” I answer, looking at Gabe, who’s smiling at me, “I’m interested in doing international aid work, so we’ve sort of figured out a compromise. Gabe’s going to be opening a new shop for his boss next year. Gabe will manage it during the year and I’ll work in the schools doing social work. Then, in the summers, we’ll both volunteer for aid programs together. Ramon’s agreed to it. He’s got his kids home in the summer and the oldest one is getting big enough to help out at the second shop, so it’ll all work out.”
Nick smiles at Gabe and nods his head. “Wow. Sounds like you two have it all figured out.” He turns to Gabe. “I didn’t think you had it in you, dude.”
“Fuck off, Carlisle,” Gabe responds as he puts his arm around my shoulders and starts playing with the ends of my hair. “And why don’t you go find your bride and leave me and my girl alone.”
Nick winks at me. “Fine. Just one more thing though. I heard through the grapevine that your girl here had a hell of a time trying to surf in Texas.”
Gabe grunts, and I can feel my face heating up. “I’m terrible, Nick. Like, worse than terrible.”
“That’s only because you haven’t had me teach you,” he brags with a big smile.
“Oh screw that, man,” Gabe huffs. “I was her teacher, and if I can’t teach her, no one can.”
I watch the challenge ping-ponging between them. “Twenty bucks,” Nick says concisely.
“Fifty,” Gabe answers.
“Fine.” Nick agrees. “And she stays on for at least a minute.”
Gabe snorts. “Never gonna happen.”
“Watch and learn, amateur. You up for another lesson?” Nick asks me.
I look at Gabe, who rolls his eyes but nods his head.
“You aren’t going on a honeymoon?”
“Well, see, that’s the thing about living in Hawaii.” He laughs.
“Um, okay. I guess I can give surfing another try.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon right here.” Nick stands up and leans down to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Watch yourself,” Gabe warns.
Nick laughs and walks away.
“Honey, what if Nick can teach me to surf when you couldn’t?”
“Babe,” he answers as his palm starts to slide up my thigh under the hem of my dress. “Have I told you how hot you look in a wetsuit?”
“Um, no,” I whisper.
“Mmm, come here. I’ll tell you all about it.”
His lips meet mine, and I hear the waves crashing on the beach and the children laughing inside. I feel the warm breeze skate across my skin, and taste the tangy beer on Gabe’s tongue. I realize that if there is perfection in the world, this moment with this man is it.
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Concealed is the fourth book I’ve written and published in twelve months. When I started this career, I never thought I’d be able to create this much, and certainly not this fast. I’m not much for routines or habits, but the one thing that has been a constant for my writing is Wild Boar Coffee in my hometown in Northern Colorado. Large portions of all four books were written at the Wild Boar, and I can’t thank the staff and owners enough for the countless green chile breakfast burritos and Mexican Mochas they’ve served me.
I have had the amazingly good fortune to come across some really special and generous people in the last year. First and foremost, I want to thank my Street Team, Selena’s Sentries, for all of their enthusiasm and support. They go above and beyond for me every day, and I truly couldn’t keep doing this without them. They are colleagues but also great friends. In particular, I want to thank Nita at BookChick Blog Reviews, Heather at Not Everyone’s Mama, Mickey Reed at I’m A Bookshark, (who is also my editor), Tiffany at Tiffany Talks Books, Michele at Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews, Whairigail at Addicted2Books, Mary M., Connie C., and Kimberly K.
Other fabulous bloggers who have been wonderfully supportive include: Heather and Selene at The REAL Housewives of Romance, Kati and Jamie at Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance, Danielle at TBQ’s Book Palace, Mandy at Raw Books, and Sasha at Caribbean Accent Book Reviews. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone, so go easy on me, but know that I love and appreciate every single one of you.
Finally, thank you to my fabulous technical advisor, Leslie Garcia, for being so helpful with the details about Hispanic culture in South Central Texas. Also, to my beta readers for this one, Lisa Swallow, Angel Lawson, and Tonya Rothe. I was blessed with each and every one of you.
